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December 8, 2011
NURSE'S OFFICE -
PANDEMIC FLU
Pandemic Flu Information
An influenza (flu) pandemic is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new virus appears that people have not been exposed to before.
Pandemics are different than seasonal out breaks of influenza. Seasonal flu is caused by viruses that people have already been exposed to; flu shots are available to help prevent widespread illness, and impacts on society are less severe. A pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus. An especially severe influenza could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss.
How does the seasonal flu differ from a pandemic flu? (Click below) http://www.pandemicflu.gov/season_or_pandemic.html
What is an influenza pandemic? (Click below)
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/whatis.html
While there is no pandemic influenza in the US at this time history tells us that another one will almost certainly occur. Amid growing concern about the potential spread of the H5N1 Avian flu virus among bird populations worldwide, communities around the nation are preparing plans to mitigate the potential outbreak of the disease among humans. Following a directive from the US federal government, Illinois state and local officials are preparing pandemic response plans in the event that the H5N1 virus mutates to a form capable of sustained human-to-human transmission and becomes a global public health concern.
A naturally occurring virus among birds, the H5N1 does not normally infect humans. The virus has not been detected in birds in the US; however it is endemic in flocks in Europe, Africa, the near East and Southeast Asia. There is virtually no immunity and human vaccine availability is very limited. Given the expanding geographical presence of the virus, however, health officials in the U.S. and abroad are monitoring the situation.
St. Francis High School would follow directives from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Dupage County Health Department, emergency management agencies and the Regional Office of Education that are officially responsible for activation of the district’s pandemic influenza response plans.
The U.S. government provides a web site outlining its comprehensive response plan and other information at www.pandemicflu.gov .
You can learn more about the avian influenza and the pandemic threat, at the following web sites:
- Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
- Dupage County Health Department
http://www.dupageco.org/oem/protectdupage/Avian.cfm?Doc_id=2755
- World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html
Download the following guidelines and checklists:
- Public Health Instructions During an Influenza Pandemic http://www.isbe.net/regionaloffices/pdf/sppg_ph_instructions.pdf
- Pandemic Flu planning; Checklists for Individuals and Families
http://www.isbe.net/regionaloffices/pdf/sppg_ind_checklist.pdf
- American Red Cross Home Care for Pandemic Flu
http://www.bostonredcross.org/pandemic/Pandemichomecare.pdf
